Clinical Features and Outcome of Patients With Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Who Harbor EML4-ALK

PURPOSE: The EML4-ALK fusion oncogene represents a novel molecular target in a small subset of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC). To aid in identification and treatment of these patients, we examined the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients who had NSCLC with and without EML4-ALK. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with NSCLC were selected for genetic screening on the basis of two or more of the following characteristics: female sex, Asian ethnicity, never/light smoking history, and adenocarcinoma histology. EML4-ALK was identified by using fluorescent in situ hybridization for ALK rearrangements and was confirmed by immunohistochemistry for ALK expression. EGFR and KRAS mutations were…

• AA
  American Association for Cancer Research
• P
  Pfizer
• A
  AstraZeneca
• G
  GlaxoSmithKline
• S
  Sanofi
• MG
  Massachusetts General Hospital
• AS
  American Society of Clinical Oncology
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: CA090578
• G
  Genentech
• ES
  EMD Serono
• TO
  Takeda Oncology